Head-light for locomotives



4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

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J. KIRBY, Jr.

HEAD LIGHT FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

Patented Dec. 12, 1882.

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J; KIRBY, Jr.

" HEAD LIGHT FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

No. 269,065. Patented Dec 12,1882.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Mbdel.)

J. KIRBY. Jr.

HEAD LIGHT FOR L'OGOMOTIVBS.

No. 269,065. Patented Des. 12, 188.2.

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(No Model.) 4 Shets-Sheet 4.

J. KIRBY Jr. HEAD LIGHT FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

'No. 269,065. Patented Dec. 12, 1882.

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. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN KIRBY, JR., OF LUDLOW, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO POST 85 00., OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

HEAD-LIGHT FO R LOCOMOTIVES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 269,065, dated December 12, 1882,

Application filed July 13, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN KIRBY, Jr., of Ludlow, Kenton county, and Stateof Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Head-Lights for Locomotives, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure l is a rear perspective view of my to improved lamp and appurtenances, showing an oil-reservoir attached to reflector. Fig. 2 is an elevation of supporting-frame and ring for reflector. Fig. 3 is a top view of supportin g-frame, ring, and reflector, broken lines 1 5 showing position of reflector when partly turned .up. Fig. 4 is an elevation of oil-reservoir. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the holder for oil-reservoir. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of lamp-case. Fig. 7 is a vertical section at 7 7, Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on the line 8. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of interior of face of case, showing construction of front plate. Fig. 10 is a geometrical elevation of interior of face of case.

My invention relates to head-lights for locomotives and it consists- First. In my mode of securing aturning reflector within its case. As ordinarily built, the lamp is fixed on a platform which revolves with the lamp when it is turned toward the door to be lighted or for trimming the wick; or it is mounted on a fixed circular track by legs, and has no central pivot. I substitute for a platform that revolves and for a circular track a platform, D, that is fixed to the case. Usually it slides into grooves on the floor of its case, and is secured by a pin. To this platform I attach firmly a frame, A, and in this I pivot a ring, B, at two points distant from each other half the circumference of the ring, so that the ring may revolve. To this ring I secure the reflector. The reflector is prevented from turning by aspring-catch, C. a By releasing this springcatch the reflector may be turned a quarter of a circle to face the door of its case for any purpose required. The reflector may be pivoted directly to the frame without the interposition of a supporting-1i ng.

Second. In using an oil-tank, E, and an oiltank holder, F, secured to the ring and reflector-support by a socketed bar, F, through which the oil is led to the burner, and burner K, such as is used in the student-lamp. By these devices the oil is fed out of the tank to the burner only so fast as consumed; and by these devices the oil feeding the lamp is always, until the tank is empty, held at the same level. I am able by these devices to burn a shorter wick and to get light for a longer time from the same quantity of oil than is possible in using the oil-receptacle in ordinary use in head-lights. In the usual form of head-light lamps there is a tank of oil led by a pipe to v the burner. Now, it is evident that the oil is lowering in the tank, while the wick is growmg shorter. They grow away from each other. But in the student-lamp devices the oil is held at the same level in relation to the wick as long as there is any oil in the tank. The lightis also steadier and the wick may with safety be turned higher to produce a brighter light with the devices I use than with the ordinary oil-tank, since the movement of a quantity of oil in the tank when the engine is under motion affects the steadiness of the flame. This efi'ect is not produced by the devices I use, because the amount of oil in immediate connectionwith the burner is at any one time small.

Third. In providing a chamber at each corner of the front plate above the rim N of the case M of a head-light for signals or figures, which may be seen from the side of track in such a way that they shall receive direct rays of light from the burner.

I am aware that signals have been placed 5 in the rim of the case of a head-light; but in all with which I am acquainted the signal is placed in the side of the rim, so that there is a portion of the rim above and beneath the signal. 9

I do not claim broadly the placing of signals or letters in the rim of a head-light case, but claim only such a construction of the rim as shall allow the direct rays of the light of the burner to strike such signal or figures, as particularly hereinafter pointed out in the formal claims.

To carry out my invention I make a rim, N, which in its lower part, N, is of theusualcircular form; but above N the circle at the 1 base of corner chambers, N, is discarded. The rim at each top corner loses its circular form and projects to the front inllines parallel, reflector pivoted at opposite points on its cir- 15 ornearly so, to the side of the case, to make room for signals or letters. Here the circle ends, and the rim is flattened so that the rays of light from the burner strike directly on its parallel projecting sides, containing signals or letters or figures. The rim is drawn into the circular form again at the top to afford a point of support for the edge of the case.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In a head-light for locomotives, the combination of a reflector-supporting frame and a cumference to said frame, substantially as described.

2. In a head-light for locomotives, the combination of an oil-tank and an oil-tank holder of the student-lamp type, secured to the rim and reflector-support in a socketed bar, F, as set forth.

The foregoing specification of my invention signed by me this 7th day of July, A. D. 1882.

JOHN KIRBY, JR.

Witnesses:

RICHARD L. AYER, J EPTHA GARRARD. 

